30 replies to this topic

[Chacha]

Does Elise optional Rear Brace fit our cars?
Part number is B120D0040F for the bar and A120W4199F for washers (items 40 and 41 on the diagram).
Description: Crossbrace, track control arms
Notes: See Service Bulletin 2006/13 - '06 MY option
http://www.deroure.c...&SMO=0&ST=&SC=0
Total cost should a bargain £54.49 + delivery.

[robin]

seen this on a lotus 211 a while ago so took a picture.

Edited by robin, 23 March 2013 - 09:50 PM.

[The Batman]

I reckon it will fit aslong as your exhaust isn't in the way.

[Nev]

Yea, the main issue will be the exhuast. If the exhaust is a problem, an alternative is to go to a exhaust fabricator and get them to weld a tubular bar of suitable strength to fit and use the exiting bolt holes - easy job for them IMO. I think this is a good thing to do, as those rear turrets are weak (prone to crack) and also the whole rear subframes are very bendy.

Edited by Nev, 23 March 2013 - 10:17 PM.

[The Batman]

Made mine out of 20mm steel conduit Squashed the ends in a vice then drilled and put a nut inside the conduit to stop it collapsing. Spot on!

Edited by joe_589, 23 March 2013 - 10:21 PM.

[Nev]

Made mine out of 20mm steel conduit

Squashed the ends in a vice then drilled and put a nut inside the conduit to stop it collapsing.

Spot on!

Sounds like a fine solution to me. I think the exhausts on VXTs may interfere more and require 2 bends/chops + welds.

Edited by Nev, 23 March 2013 - 10:28 PM.

[The Batman]

I had to use a conduit bender to put the bends in that where needed to avoid the 3" exhaust

[Nev]

Do your floorpans still fit without any changes ?

[The Batman]

Yup trying to find a photo of it

[techieboy]

Not sure I see the logic of that one on the 2-11, given the fact there's a huge lump of steel there between the two sections anyway.

[JG]

Looks to me like a method of minimising Shear stress on the toe link rather than a chassis bracing device.

[Scuffers]

Looks to me like a method of minimising Shear stress on the toe link rather than a chassis bracing device.

This, on a VX it will cause issues as the wishbone bolt/toe link bolt will be massively stressed by it.

For what it's worth, Newer 211s no longer have this, It did nothing useful.

[siztenboots]

what if instead the brace uses a different bolt to the wishbone/TL bolt

[Spitfire Engineering]

Looks to me like a method of minimising Shear stress on the toe link rather than a chassis bracing device.

Correct, it was never considered a brace. If you wonder why Lotus used such a heavy cumbersome solution? it was purely due to legal reasons. It was considered that a bracket would mean drilling the subframe and this may cause a wave of claims from North America when the area around the hole subsequently rusts and a new subframe has to be supplied.
The bracket solution was far superior in strength, weight, rigidity and longevity.


No point in comparing VX and Toyo subframes as they are so different.
Far more info on the working of the brace in the other thread.

[The Batman]

I didn't use those bolts I used the holes next to the toe links

Edited by joe_589, 24 March 2013 - 12:46 PM.

[Spitfire Engineering]

Looks to me like a method of minimising Shear stress on the toe link rather than a chassis bracing device.

This, on a VX it will cause issues as the wishbone bolt/toe link bolt will be massively stressed by it.

For what it's worth, Newer 211s no longer have this, It did nothing useful.

I will answer this one first as the subsequent post needs it as well.

The forces involved without a brace on this section of subframe are the input from the wishbone plus the input from the toe link, both of these are acting in the same direction and are highest when they support the outer wheel during a turn. The force opposing, is the subframe plus associated structures minus some reduction from the other suspension pickups etc.

By adding a brace across the toe link/wishbone bolt you share the combined forces from the suspension across both sides of the subframe effectively halving the applied force on the bolt.
The end of the bolt is effectively now in double shear and supported in it's function not stressed further.

What is important is that only the vertical forces are opposed, to try to stop individual motion in the vertical plane during normal suspension movements may cause a variety of handling issues and may even stress fatigue the subframe itself in time.
That is why the brace was fitted with rod ends, to limit the resistance to a single plane.

Beware of a solid fixture unless you really have the time and money to do a long term fatigue job on the subframe, you need look no further that Lotus' own experience with solid bushes to see the issues!

[Scuffers]

EH? And how does that relate to what I posted?

[2-20]

FYI TAT sells one for the VX (fit with their specific toe links)

http://www.tat-conce...ink-unibal.html

[The Batman]

I bet that doesn't miss the 3" exhaust on a sc/na I can't find a photo however it looked like this ____ ____ __________________/ That's a technical drawing which is patented

[Scuffers]

FYI TAT sells one for the VX (fit with their specific toe links)

http://www.tat-conce...ink-unibal.html

Stunning bad Design...

It's not a clever thing to join the two wishbone bolts like this.